Well, may the time shorten wherever and however possible, and may it fly by for you.
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It's a long time out. Paper work is the first step. 4 months to get through preauth and another 17 months on the waiting list though that will likely be reduced.
lissa! lissa! lissa! lissa!
Woo! You go!
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17 month wait? Wow.
I realize I was in the dark ages of the 80s, but my initial wait was 8 months or wrangling with the insurance company to pre-authorize. This was after the intitial 12 month RLT period required at the time. Lots of back and forth paperwork between me, my care givers and the insurance company. Then there was a 2 months of insecurity, as the company I was working for went out of business, and I went onto COBRA coverage, and in the end I had a great case manager who pushed the paperwork through.
I know you have patience Lissa, and I know you will get through this trial also.
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Well, here it is.
The US Supreme Court has finally agreed to here a case about whether states have to allow same-sex marriage during the current term. Big news!
My goal is by the time I'm 50. So I still have a bit more time figure out how to pay for it and then get things lined up, I guess. But even if I manage to get the ball rolling by then, I'll be satisfied.
Okay, read the Rat Queens Braga Special. I have to say, when I got to the next to last page and realized how Wiebe was, or rather wasn't, going to end the story, I had a big smile on my face.
Kind of bummed it's a one-shot. More Braga please.
My only real criticism is that it could have used more braga, less broog. =)
Roger that.
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Gov. Cuomo of New York "is calling for an amendment to the state's civil rights law to protect" trans people.
Brief details here.
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Kurtis J. Wiebe discusses some of the choices he made for Braga's Story in the latest Rat Queens.
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I liked Obama's State the Union Address:
There’s one last pillar to our leadership — and that’s the example of our values.
As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It’s why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It’s why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims — the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us safer.
This is the first time I have ever heard a sitting president talk about the basic human rights of the LGBTQ community by name!!
Thank you Mr President.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25392513
Very interesting paper, building on some other recent studies. This particular one included both FtM and MtF subjects as well as cis-gendered controls, though I'd be most keen to see the data segregated out into those on HRT and those not on HRT.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25392513
Very interesting paper, building on some other recent studies. This particular one included both FtM and MtF subjects as well as cis-gendered controls, though I'd be most keen to see the data segregated out into those on HRT and those not on HRT.
Todd, would it be possible for you to clarify what the abstract is saying? (For those of us who don't do this kind of thing for a living.)
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Todd, would it be possible for you to clarify what the abstract is saying? (For those of us who don't do this kind of thing for a living.)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25392513
Very interesting paper, building on some other recent studies. This particular one included both FtM and MtF subjects as well as cis-gendered controls, though I'd be most keen to see the data segregated out into those on HRT and those not on HRT.
The methods used here are outside my field, but here's my best shot. The math used to calculate the images for the DMRI (diffusion MRI) is beyond me.
The paper's authors used a very specific type of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging - basically a giant electromagnet) that allows for imaging/measuring of neuronal fine-structural as a result of the diffusion of water molecules. Previous studies have found differences in brain white matter in trans individuals versus cisgender, and this study observed a clear pattern in the mean diffusivity (the physical correlation here would be higher white matter density leading to lower diffusivity). They observed cis females with the highest diffusion rate, cis males with the lowest, and trans individuals in between in virtually all white matter regions mapped.
The diffusivity numbers also matched up with the plasma testosterone levels in their bloodstream (I don't have access to the full paper at home, so I don't know if the trans individuals were on HRT or not, which could make a difference here). The study suggests that the observed brain differences are the result of testosterone exposure levels during prenatal development of the fetal brain and possibly the earliest post-natal stage.
Thanks Todd. Appreciate it.
I'm still confused. So does that mean that trans individuals that are women have a white matter density comparable to women and those that are men have white matter density comparable to men?
Sorry for my ignorance and still not figuring out exactly what it's says even after the explanation.
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Well guys...it's finally happened.
I got my first check from editing the LGBT erotica I was telling everyone about considerably far upthread- 40 whole dollars!
This dovetailed nicely into a friend of mine who was selling her bf's unused Nintendo 3dsxl for 50 bucks. So, thanks to editing, I essentially got a 3dsxl for TEN DOLLARS!!!!
As I write this post I am editing one last work for a new anthology the company is putting out! HUZZAH!!!
this is so frakkin horrible. if you can, please consider donating to his defense fund (TW: Descriptions of rape, transphobia and extrajudicial imprisonment)
this is so frakkin horrible. if you can, please consider donating to his defense fund (TW: Descriptions of rape, transphobia and extrajudicial imprisonment)
Whoa...I don't know what to say. That something like that blows my mind. That is perhaps the most horrible thing I've read in a while. You have the victim of a terribly violent crime being the one put in prison...that is absolutely horrible.
I would hope that the people of the community would rise up and shout down such injustice, but apparently no one did. That is absolutely horrible to have happen.
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Just sent the next batch of edited work to the boss at the third job.
this is so frakkin horrible. if you can, please consider donating to his defense fund (TW: Descriptions of rape, transphobia and extrajudicial imprisonment)Whoa...I don't know what to say. That something like that blows my mind. That is perhaps the most horrible thing I've read in a while. You have the victim of a terribly violent crime being the one put in prison...that is absolutely horrible.
I would hope that the people of the community would rise up and shout down such injustice, but apparently no one did. That is absolutely horrible to have happen.
Indeed, this sounds like b#+*+*$+. Noone should have to wait that long for their case to be heard, and the "offer" of the public defender is insulting.
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Just sent the next batch of edited work to the boss at the third job.
Where might one look for this work of yours?
Intrigued.
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Indeed, this sounds like b%###$+@. Noone should have to wait that long for their case to be heard, and the "offer" of the public defender is insulting.this is so frakkin horrible. if you can, please consider donating to his defense fund (TW: Descriptions of rape, transphobia and extrajudicial imprisonment)Whoa...I don't know what to say. That something like that blows my mind. That is perhaps the most horrible thing I've read in a while. You have the victim of a terribly violent crime being the one put in prison...that is absolutely horrible.
I would hope that the people of the community would rise up and shout down such injustice, but apparently no one did. That is absolutely horrible to have happen.
A lot of it is that, in some areas, the public defender is working between 300 and 1200 cases per year. Average turnover time is within 12 months, and public defenders tend to be working their first job as a lawyer, so the average public defender is very inexperienced. Throw on that massive caseload, and you have a situation where the lawyer isn't just new, but way overworked. Also, maybe 10%-5% of people charged are actually going to see trial, and even then it takes over a year to get a lot of people into a courtroom because the system is so massively backlogged. If 90%-95% of defendants didn't plead out, the system would literally collapse under the pressure. It can't handle trying even 20% of cases. All of this means that the public defender is probably green and scared and doesn't know what to do and is juggling a completely overwhelming load of clients at the moment, the prosecution is pressing hard to plead the case out, and the court can't get him in for trial for over a year. Plus, the defendant is black. That right there means a jury is more likely to convict and a judge is likely to give a harsher sentence. Read for more. Just be aware that Cracked is an entertainment network first and foremost.
All of that said, I would like to point out that the kid is going to serve out the full term for this. Far as I can dig up, under Georgia state law the requirements necessary to file an appeal are not met in this case (The DA's office would have to have acted illegally, which it did not [immoral behavior doesn't count, and even if their behavior should be unconstitutional it is not recognized as such at the moment, and this just isn't a case that would sway SCOTUS to rule otherwise], the police would have to have acted illegally [if they did, you aren't going to be able to get a court to actually acknowledge it, so this option is dead in the water], or evidence not submitted to the court would have to exist that casts serious doubt as to the verdict [there is no reason to believe such evidence exists]. The fact that there is a guilty plea also makes an appeal astronomically harder to get if one of those three conditions is met.). An appeal just isn't going to happen. It is important to note that there is nothing in the Constitution of the US or any state Constitution I know of that entitles anyone to an appeal, except in the case of capital crimes. From a legal point of view, getting an appeal is a privilege, not a right. All of that aside, the sentence of 15 to 20 years is higher than the minimum sentence for Involuntary Manslaughter in Georgia. Under Georgia state law, that means the defendant is ineligible for early release, such as parole, and has to serve out every single day of the 15 years. A pardon is necessary, but there is no way that is happening, because the political backlash is something the Governor does not want. Since this is a state offense, Obama cannot legally issue a pardon.
To sum, this battle is already lost. Kid is not getting an appeal, is not getting the conviction overturned, is not getting pardoned, and this is going to continue happening to other people. We've fought this exact battle thousands of times, and win barely a fraction of a percent of the time. This one just doesn't look like a winner, even though the victim was most likely justified under Georgia self defense laws.
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Just sent the next batch of edited work to the boss at the third job.Where might one look for this work of yours?
Intrigued.
The name of the company is Inkstained Succubus. They are a small publisher out of Arkansas.
Been a while since I poked my head in here. Thought I'd spread some sunshine.
Warning, 23 minutes long, and you may be cheering out loud at the end.
@Freehold dm: You're an editor? What type specifically and what are your rates?
Oh..uh..well, right now I am focusing on quiltbag erotica. I have no idea what to charge, as this is only my second time being an editor, the first was stipended for a college newspaper,and this one I signed a contract for.
Is there something you would like me to take a look at for you?
Oh..uh..well, right now I am focusing on quiltbag erotica. I have no idea what to charge, as this is only my second time being an editor, the first was stipended for a college newspaper,and this one I signed a contract for.
Is there something you would like me to take a look at for you?
Erm, at a later point, when I can properly pay ya. Basically, I primarily need a proof reader. Usually my beta readers can catch when something doesn't make sense (like changed character names, mismatched jobs, dropped plot threads and flat characters, that kind of thing). Typing at the speed of thought (plus fingers) results in more than a few errors, and being so close to the prose myself, I can only catch so much, lol.
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Oh..uh..well, right now I am focusing on quiltbag erotica. I have no idea what to charge, as this is only my second time being an editor, the first was stipended for a college newspaper,and this one I signed a contract for.
Is there something you would like me to take a look at for you?
'Quiltbag erotica'...I expect this is 'QUILTBAG' the acronym, as opposed to the bag that quilts live in...
No. These are all scintillating looks at the lives of quilts, the bags they live in, and the people that love them. You'd be surprised at how much of a market there is for such fiction...
If it is, indeed, fiction.
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I lurk in this thread much more than I post, but I wanted to share that my story "Serving Girl" is now up at GigaNotoSaurus. It's a second world fantasy about a...problematic homecoming.
Apologies for the shameless self-promotion, but it's my first sale in a while and I'm pretty excited about it.
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if you are talking to me, could you please be more specific?
You are saying (correct me if I misunderstood) that it is not reasonable for people with a store to only sell to people within their faith.
The quote you gave, the court ruling, says, 'Your religious beliefs do not allow you to choose who you do business with if you want to do business in the public market place!'
This seems to be the same sentiment as you, but you get angry about people who make the quoted claim!
What's going on?
I think it's totally acceptable to run your business as you see fit.
Your potential customers are also within their rights to not use it.
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@ Terquem; that makes sense now. BTW, I totally agree with both your (actual) sentiment and with the court ruling.
@Kryzbyn; in Britain it is actually illegal to discriminate on grounds such as gender, race, religion, and sexuality. Good.
Taking the cake shop as an example, if I hold religious beliefs of whatever stripe, it is not my place to impose my beliefs on my customers. If I didn't believe in same-sex marriage it would not be my place to deny service to those that think same-sex marriage is okay.
On the other hand, I cannot be party to inciting hatred, so if someone orders a cake and wants offensive anti-gay slogans on it, I'm not only within my rights to refuse, but I'd probably be breaking the law if I sold such an offensive item.
Good.
It always bewilders me that so many religious positions are based on hatred when they purport to be based on love.
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I'm straight, cis-male, western European, educated....all of the things normally assumed as having all the power in society. Except rich. I'm not rich. Ah, well...
So, from my own personal selfish point of view, if I get married it's going to be to a female. So does same-sex marriage bother me?
Why on Earth should it? How does it make my life worse if two other people want to get married? How could this possibly make my marriage worth less?
The idea that 'If I don't like it then nobody else should be allowed to do it!' is absurd.
I don't like chocolate ice cream. Should I be in favour of laws that prevent other people from eating it, and force them to eat vanilla (just like 'God' intended)? It's absurd.
The phrase 'I don't agree with same-sex marriage' is absurd on its face! You don't have to agree with it because no-one is forcing you to do it!
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I think it's totally acceptable to run your business as you see fit.
Your potential customers are also within their rights to not use it.Such approaches have been tried and proven very problematic in the past, especially with racial discrimination. When the prejudice is common enough, there's actually positive feedback since customers will avoid business that don't discriminate to match their prejudices. Similarly for hiring practices, which often applied to women as well as minorities. If customers are prejudiced and avoid your business because you employ women outside of traditional gender roles or employ minorities outside of menial labor, then it's good business policy to discriminate.
We really want to avoid that situation. It's a trap that's hard to get out of.
Do I think that's likely to be the case with these gay marriage cases? Not really. But I don't agree with the general principle of absolute freedom for businesses to discriminate as they please and assume the market will fix things.
Also, these are pretty trivial cases. What if it's something more critical and less easily replaced?
I'd rather those things be legally challenged on a case-by-case basis, than make a blanket policy that does not allow individual liberty.
But, that's just me. If I knew a business would not sell to people for petty reasons, I would not go there.